File.



Patented uw. 25, |900'. `L. c. muuu.. 1

FILE.

(Applicltion led oet. 27, 1896.)

2 Sheds-Sheet l.`

(No Model.)

www

ATTDRNEYSI. A

Pa'tented De. 25, `|900.

L. C. MCNEAL.

FILE.

(Application. led Oct. 27, 1896.)

2 Sheets-#Sheet 2 (No Model.)

y UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LUTHER C. MCNEAL, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE LIBRARY BUREAU, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

FILE.

SPECIFICATION forming part-Of Letters Patent No. 664,573, dated December 25, 1900.

Application filed October 27, 1896. Serial No. 610,192. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LUTHER C. MCNEAL, of Rochester, in the county of Monroe, inthe State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Files, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is afull, clear, and exact description. i

My invention relates to improvements in files, particularly applicable for receiving cards, tickets, checks, notes, and other articles, retaining the same in the desired arrangement, and permitting their removal or rearrangement; and to this end the invention consists, essentially, in the construction and arrangement of the component parts of the file, all as hereinafter more particularly de scribed, and pointed out in the claims.

In describing this invention reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which like letters indicate corresponding parts in all the Views.

Figure l is a top plan of my improved le, the movable locking-bar being shown in its operative position and a portion of the support for the file being illustrated in section. Fig. 2 is atransverse section, taken on line 22, Fig. l, a card being shown in position within the file. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section, partly in elevation and partly broken away, taken on line 3 3, Fig. 2, the operatingpiece for the locking-bar being removed to permit illustration of the underlying parts. Figs. 4 and 5 are vertical sections, taken, respectively, on lines 4 l and 5 5, Figs. l and 4. Figs. 6 and 7 are isometric views of the detached operating-piece for the movable locking-bar and the adjacent end of said lockingbar. Fig. 8 is a rear elevation of the detached follower of my Iile, the locking-bars being shown in operative position in the aperture or perforation formedin said follower. Fig. 9 is a vertical section, taken on line 9 9, Fig. 8.

A is a frame for receiving cards, tickets, checks, notes, and other articles a, B a portion of a suitable support for the frame A, and C a movable looking-bar for holding said articles in position. The frame B is of any desirable form, size, and construction, and

the articles or., supported thereby,are provided With apertures a', which usually extend up-A able, if desired, although it is usually fixedl to the frame A in any suitable manner, and the latter construction is also specifically claimed herein, although certain ofthe claims are not limited thereto. The bars C C are generally formed of greater width than thickness and are arranged edgewise, but may be otherwise formed and arranged, if desired. If the bars C C' are in close proximity, they readily enter or leave the perforations a as the articles a are arranged, removed, or rearranged, and when the bar C is moved laterally away from the bar C the opposite sides of the enlarged upper ends of the apertures a are engaged by said bars and the articles a are positively and eectively retained in position. It is obvious, however, that if the frame A is provided with separated side walls 0,2 a2, as illustrated, and the cards or other articles closely fit between the adjacent faces of the side walls said cards or other articles may be locked in position by the bar C and the bar C' may be dispensed with.

The bar C may be guided in its movement by any suitable means, but is preferably formed at one end with an inclined portion extended obliquely to the length of the bar for the purpose of cooperating with a cam-V slot or other means for automatically shifting the said bar laterally by its longitudinal movement, and the bar is herein shown as having both of its ends provided with said inclined portions extending parallel to each other, but in opposite directions, although I `do not limit myself to this construction and haveshown a modified construction in a copending application, Serial No. 711,474.

` The bar C preferably has, as herein shown, an inclined portion c, which is movable in an inclined guide as upon'the frame A and is provided at its opposite end with a projecting arm c', movable in an inclined guide d, formed in a suitable operating-piece D. A spring E preferably holds the bar C in its op- IOO erative-position for locking the articles a to the frame A,a'sn'itable stop limits the lateral movement ofthe bar C from the bar C',

and a second stop F holds the bar Cin its inoperative position. The spring E is of any suitable construction and is usually fixed to the front wall a4 of the frame A and is engaged with an ear or lug d', which projects upwardly from the operating-piece D and engages the inner face of said front wall for forming a stop to limit the lateral movement of the bar C away from the bar C. The spring for normally holding the locking-bar in perative position may be otherwise arranged than as shown, and in my aforesaid copending application I have shown a modified construction in which said spring is located at the rear end of the box and connected directly to the longitudinal bar.

` The operating-piece D, which may be of any suitable form, size, and construction, is preferably pivoted at d2 to the frame A, is rocked to and fro for moving the bar O into and ont of its operative position, and isA connected to the inner end of a reciprocally-movableplunger or handpiece D', having its opposite end extended beyond the outer face of the front wall a4.

The stop F preferably consists of a lever having its central portion pivoted atf to the wall ai. The upper end of said stop is forced toward the plunger or handpiece D by a spring f and serves to prevent movement of said plunger or handpiece when the lockingbar C is in its inoperative position. The lower end of the stop F is normally engaged by a shoulder b, which is provided upon the support B and `rocks said stop upon its pivot against the action of the spring f as the file assumes its designed position upon the support B, and thereby disengages the upper end of the stop F from the plunger orhandpiece D'.

A suitable follower G is usually movable lengthwise of the bars C C and is formed with an aperture g, corresponding to the apertures a', and said follower is locked in its adjusted position by any suitable means. As preferably constructed the follower G is provided with a fastening member g2, which locks the same to the bar C', and an actuating member g3 for forcing the member g2 into operative position. The fastening member for holding the follower in desired position in the box or card-receptacle is suitably cut out or recessed, so as to have an upper and a lower part for extending over and under the bars C C or any other fixed rod or portion of the card-file and is so mounted, being preferably pivoted, that upon turning the said fastening member into an oblique position it serves to grip the bar or other relatively-fixed portion contained between said upper and lower parts, and upon being turned into a vertical position it serves to `release the bar or other ixed portion,which it otherwise normally grips.

said fastening member herein in the shape of an apertured plate gripping the bars, or it I have shown may be constructed in various other ways, and in my aforesaid copendlng application I have shown a modified form arranged to grip a fixed rod independent of the locking-bars, the idea being, broadly, to provide any means for embracing a bar or equivalentdevice relatively to which the follower moves, said means being capable of tipping one way or the other into or out of pinching engagement therewith. The member g2 is formed with a perforation g4 for receiving the bars C C', and the lower edge of said perforation is movable into and out of engagement with the under side of the bar C', which is preferably of greater 'width than the bar C. Consequently7 said edge of the perforation gvll does not engage the corresponding edge of the bar C, and said bar C is therefore free to move -laterally toward and away from the bar C'. The actuating member g3 is preferably journaled in the followerGand is provided at one end witha crank or handpiece and at its opposite end with a cam or shoulder g5 for engaging the member g2 and forcing the same into its operative position, thereby locking the follower G to the bar C. When it is desired to adj ust said follower, the cam or shoulder g5 is rocked out of engagement with the fastening member g2, and a spring g, suit-ably connected to the member g2, rocks the same backwardly and disengages the lower edge of its perforation g4 from the under edge of the bar C'.

The operation of my'invention will now be readily `understood upon reference to the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings, and it will be particularly noted that the same is simple in construction and is practical and effective in operation. It will also be noted that the exact construction and arrangement of the component parts of my improved file may be more or less varied, as indicated herein, and consequently I do not limit myself to such exact construction and arrangement.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles having apertures therein, a locking-bar for-entering the apertures, said bar being movable longitudinally and laterally in the apertures for holding the cards or other articles in position and permitting their withdrawal, and la spring for 'normally holding the locking-bar in its operative position, substantially as set forth.

2. A le comprising `a frame for receiving cards or other articles having apertures therein, a locking-bar for entering the apertures, said bar being movable longitudinallyand laterally in the apertures for holding the cards or other articles in position and permitting their withdrawal, a spring for normally holding the locking-bar in its operative position, and means for holding the locking-bar in its inoperative position, substantially as described.

IOO

IIO

3. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles having apertures therein, a longitudinally-movable locking-bar for entering the apertures, said bar being laterally movable in the apertures, a spring for normally holding the locking-bar in its operative position, means for holding the lockingbar in its inoperative position, and means for automatically forcing the former means from its operative position, substantially as described.

4. A iile comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles having apertures therein,a pairof locking-bars forentering the apertures, one of the bars being fixed and the other being movable longitudinally, and being also movable laterally toward and away from the first bar, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles having apertures therein, said frame having a guide or bearing, and a longitudinally-movable locking-bar for entering the apertures, said bar being provided with an inclined portion movable in the guide and being movable laterally in the apertures, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

G. A tile comprising aframe for receiving cards or other articles having apertures therein, said frame having an inclined guide, a longitudinally-movable locking-bar for entering the apertures, said bar being provided with a projecting arm at one extremity and an inclined portion at its opposite extremity movable in the guide, and being. movable laterally in the apertures, and a movable operating-piece supported by the frame and provided with an inclined guide for receiving the projecting arm, substantially as and for the purpose described.

7. A le comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles having apertures therein, said frame having an inclined guide, a longitudinally-movable locking-bar for entering the apertures, said bar being laterally movable in the apertures, and having a portion thereof movable lengthwise of said guide, and a follower movable lengthwise of the lockingbar, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

8. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles having apertures therein,a pair of locking-bars for entering the apertures, one of the bars being Iixed and the other being movable laterally toward and away from the first bar, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

9. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards orother articles having apertures therein, and a longitudinally-movable locking-bar for entering the apertures, said bar having at its opposite ends inclined portions extending obliquely to the length of the bar and parallel to each other, and guides or bearings for said inclined portions, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

l0. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles havingapertures therein, and a longitudinally-movable locking-bar for entering the apertures, said bar being outwardly bent at its forward end, and a plate or movable piece having sliding connection with said end, and means extending through the front of the drawer for moving said plate in the shiftingoperation of said bar, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

. 11. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or otherarticles having apertures therein, a locking-bar for retaining the cards, and a follower movable lengthwise of said locking-bar, said follower being provided with holding means for holding the same in place along said bar, said holding means including a fastening member recessed to embrace said bar and adapted to be tipped one way or the other into or out of pinching engagement with said bar, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

l2. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles having apertures therein, alocking-bar for retaining the cards, and a follower movable lengthwise of said locking-bar, said follower being provided with holding means for holding the same in place along said bar, said holding means including a fastening member recessed to embrace said bar and adapted to be tipped one way or the other into or out of pinching engagement with said bar, and means for maintaining said fastening member in pinching position, substantially as described.

13. A tile comprising a frame for receiving cards or other articles having apertures therein, a locking-bar for retaining the cards, and a follower movable lengthwise of said locking-bar, said follower being provided with holding means for holding the same in place along said bar, said holding means including a fastening member pivoted to said follower and extending over and under said bar whereby the turning of said fastening member upon its pivot into one position serves to grip the bar, and into another position serves to release the bar, and means for normally maintaining said member in gripping engagement wit-h said bar.

14. A file comprising a frame for receiving cards and the like, and a follower movable lengthwise in said frame for following behind and supporting the cards, said follower being provided with holding means for holding the same in any desired position in said frame, said holding means including a fastening member recessed to embrace a bar, rod, or equivalent portion extending longitudinally of the frame and said holding means being adapted to be tipped one way or the other into or out of pinching engagement with the bar, and means for maintaining said fastening member in pinching position, substantially as described.

l5. A le for holding cards and the like having apertures therein, a support for said file, a longitudinally-movable locking-bar in IOO IIO

IIS

said file for entering the apertures in said In ltestimony whereof I have hereunto to cards, means extending through the front of signed my name, in the presence of two attestthe file formoving said bar, a pivoted stop ing witnesses, at Syracuse, in the county of carried by said file and having interlocking Onondaga, in the State of New York, this 17th 5 engagement with said moving means, and day of October, 1896.

means carried by said support for autolnatic- LUTHER C. MCNEAL. ally operating said stop for locking said bar` Witnesses: and said moving means when the file is in f E. A. WEISBURG,

closed position, substantially as described; n D. LAVINE. 

